Australia Unveils Sweeping National School Reforms to Boost Teaching and Learning
Federal and state governments agree to overhaul curriculum, teacher standards and agency architecture to strengthen schools
Australia’s education system is embarking on a substantial reform agenda after federal and state ministers agreed key changes aimed at making schools fairer, better funded and more effective.
The reforms follow the recent Education Ministers Meeting, where ministers confirmed plans to establish a new Australian Teaching and Learning Commission, overhaul the mathematics curriculum in the first three years of schooling and update the national professional standards for teachers — the first such review in 15 years.
Under the proposed Commission, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) and Education Services Australia (ESA) would be brought together into a single national body, designed to strengthen links between curriculum design, teacher development, research and classroom practice.
A working group will deliver detailed recommendations in February 2026 following consultation with teachers, principals, First Nations representatives and unions.
Ministers also agreed to a targeted review of the mathematics curriculum for Foundation to Year 2 schooling, recognising that early numeracy learning is highly cumulative and teacher feedback has flagged the existing curriculum as overly complex.
The review aims to clarify what is taught, when and how, and to develop better support materials for teachers.
In another major change, the national professional standards for teachers — unchanged since 2011 — will be reviewed by AITSL, with a revised proposal due to ministers in February.
The reforms respond to concerns that current standards do not reflect the realities of contemporary classrooms and the needs of early-career teachers.
Education stakeholders welcomed the reform package while urging clarity on implementation.
The Australian Primary Principals’ Association emphasised that curriculum, assessment and valuing the teaching profession must be prioritised for the changes to deliver impact.
Meanwhile, the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association viewed the restructuring of the national agencies as an opportunity — provided school leaders and teachers are central to the design of the new body.
The policy agenda is underpinned by the federal government’s “Better and Fairer Schools Agreement”, which channels A$16.5 billion (the largest new investment in public schools by the Australian Government) across states and territories, contingent on structural reform, stronger evidence-based teaching, and improved student outcomes.
The reforms mark a decisive moment in Australian education policy as ministers seek to align funding, accountability and classroom practice under a unified national framework.
The reforms follow the recent Education Ministers Meeting, where ministers confirmed plans to establish a new Australian Teaching and Learning Commission, overhaul the mathematics curriculum in the first three years of schooling and update the national professional standards for teachers — the first such review in 15 years.
Under the proposed Commission, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) and Education Services Australia (ESA) would be brought together into a single national body, designed to strengthen links between curriculum design, teacher development, research and classroom practice.
A working group will deliver detailed recommendations in February 2026 following consultation with teachers, principals, First Nations representatives and unions.
Ministers also agreed to a targeted review of the mathematics curriculum for Foundation to Year 2 schooling, recognising that early numeracy learning is highly cumulative and teacher feedback has flagged the existing curriculum as overly complex.
The review aims to clarify what is taught, when and how, and to develop better support materials for teachers.
In another major change, the national professional standards for teachers — unchanged since 2011 — will be reviewed by AITSL, with a revised proposal due to ministers in February.
The reforms respond to concerns that current standards do not reflect the realities of contemporary classrooms and the needs of early-career teachers.
Education stakeholders welcomed the reform package while urging clarity on implementation.
The Australian Primary Principals’ Association emphasised that curriculum, assessment and valuing the teaching profession must be prioritised for the changes to deliver impact.
Meanwhile, the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association viewed the restructuring of the national agencies as an opportunity — provided school leaders and teachers are central to the design of the new body.
The policy agenda is underpinned by the federal government’s “Better and Fairer Schools Agreement”, which channels A$16.5 billion (the largest new investment in public schools by the Australian Government) across states and territories, contingent on structural reform, stronger evidence-based teaching, and improved student outcomes.
The reforms mark a decisive moment in Australian education policy as ministers seek to align funding, accountability and classroom practice under a unified national framework.
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